Stupid Technology Questions

[Davis Hale]

I am apart of a band. We are looking to record ourselves, and would like at least a pretty good quality sound (but would love a professional sound).

The question is, what are some good mics/recorders for a small budget (our income isn't great, our budget would probably be in the $300 range)...

We're using Audacity as a music editing program, so our biggest concern is getting good recordings...
Any help?

P.S. If it matters, our guitarist is also our vocalist, and a lot of music we do is loud alternative/grungy stuff...

[jabulon]

I'm not into audio myself (except listening of course), but you could have a look in these forums (there you'll find a lot of info).
Audiogear (http://www.thetradersden.org/forums/showthread.php?t=52287)
Gear lust (http://www.thetradersden.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=76)
Tapers'Forum (http://www.thetradersden.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=41)

[Davis Hale]

Thank you!

[paddington]

I am apart of a band.
sorry to hear... why did they kick you out?




Did you mean to spend $300, total, to record the whole band?

that might be a bit tight, but you could probably fit it if you want to track each part, one at a time, instead of recording the band playing together.

As some goals:
- For mixing, try to land a Mackie. Behringer makes good boards, too. Both a re mid-low priced and good quality for the money.

- for editing / recording software, Adobe Audition is a nice middle-ground between the free Audacity and the sky-high ProTools.

- for mics, the most important gear you'll buy, you can't go wrong with a bunch of SM57s (http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SM57-LC-Cardioid-Dynamic-Microphone/dp/B0000AQRST) and SM58s (http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SM58LC-Cardioid-Dynamic-Microphone/dp/B000CZ0R42/).

You can get fancier with the mics later, but a dynamic mic w/ cardioid pattern is the beginner's friend. You get great sound with those.


A key point to remember is that all those rock albums with such fantastic sound owe most of it to mic placement as much as, or maybe more than the mics, themselves.

How you mic up (distance, angle, etc) your band will make the most impact on your recordings. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13526_3-9852349-27.html

[AAR.oner]

theres no way to buy even the most basic home recording setup for $300 [you could get a small pocket recorder with built-in mics, but that won't come out sounding good]...hell, each SM57/SM58 will run $100 new, and 3 mics ain't enough to mic a drum kit

you'd be better off finding someone with a small recording studio...you could probly get a day or day and a half for that amount, and they'll have all the gear needed

[co9ol]

I wouldn't mic drums with any less then 3 mic's (two overheads and one kick(maybe a nice XY on the overheads?)) I'd say that's your very very minimum setup. Bass could easily be di and that SM57 will do quite nicely on your guitar amps. Then SM58 on vocals.
Just don't use the SM58 on the kick drum!

If you want to record a whole album under that budget I'd suggest buying your own stuff. But something like an ep or just a few songs I'd suggest going to a studio. A studio knows what they're doing and have the equipment so it'll probably sound better than doing it your self

[AAR.oner]

If you want to record a whole album under that budget I'd suggest buying your own stuff.

just curious, how would you go about building a home studio, even the most bare bones set up and heavily used equipment, for even close to that budget?!

i've helped with a lot of DIY bedroom studio builds, and doing it for less than even $1K is almost impossible

[Davis Hale]

I just found out, our drummer has recieved some mics from his friend, so now we just need guitar, vocals, and bass.
Thank you all so much for your help!

[co9ol]

just curious, how would you go about building a home studio, even the most bare bones set up and heavily used equipment, for even close to that budget?!

i've helped with a lot of DIY bedroom studio builds, and doing it for less than even $1K is almost impossible

well if if got just a few mic's and a mixer and nothing else (recorded in a barn or something) then it might be possible for like 600 minimum. Ya I don't know why I said 300 would be doable (with out donated/borrowed gear).

[AAR.oner]

well if if got just a few mic's and a mixer and nothing else (recorded in a barn or something) then it might be possible for like 600 minimum. Ya I don't know why I said 300 would be doable (with out donated/borrowed gear).

damn and i was hoping you might have some tricks up yer sleeve...a $300 recording set up would be Ark of the Covenant information! :lol:

$600 is possible tho, i can see that

[oxymoron]

simple way with computer
(you have one?!)

new Tascam US144MKII for 120$ (include Cubase LE4)
used mixer from ebay, starts up 38$ (Yamaha MG16/4)
new microphones for voice like Sennheise E822S (in europe for 40€)
new micro bassdrum AKG D112 (europe 160€)
overhead micros like Rode M3 (europe 79€)

alternative:
have seen a lot of "old" standalone recording studio with internal harddisk up from 100€
or some older tascams, have a lot of inputs, the quality is good enough for starting

[Nirvanafan]

Thanks everybody! :)

[rspencer]

I remember spending up to $75 just for the blank reel of tape. :lol: